Faucet-coupling assembly for a washing machine

ABSTRACT

A coupling assembly for connecting a washing machine to a water faucet having a handle member protruding from its body portion that serves as a spout for draining water from the assembly. The handle member is manually slidable to unseat a valve to thereby dispense the water therethrough. The handle member is linked to a quick-release connector that fastens the assembly to the faucet so that manipulation of the connector to release it is translated to the valve. Water pressure within the assembly is relieved as the release operation takes place.

I United States Patent [1113,593fl3 [72] Inventor Lauren W. Guth [56] References Cited:

N gam UNITED STATES PATENTS P 3,190,311 6/1965 Boyce etal. 137/562X [22] Filed Sept. 19, 1969 3,124,157 3/1964 Krzewma 137/583 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 3 306 319 2 1967 d l 7 2 [73] Assignee ceneralmedriccompany Ken teta. 13 /56 Primary Examiner-M. Cary Nelson Assistant Examiner-R. B. Rothman Atl0rneys-George C. Atwell, Harry F. Manbeck, J L, Frank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B. Waddell and Joseph B. Forman [54] FAUCET'COUPUNG ASSEMBLY FORA WASHING ABSTRACT: A coupling assembly for connecting a washing MACQINE machine to a water faucet having a handle member protruding w Chums 3 Drawing from its body portion that serves as a spout for draining water [52] U.S. Cl 137/562, from the assembly. The handle member is manually slidable to 137/583 unseat a valve to thereby dispense the water therethrough. [51] Int. Cl F16k 45/00 The handle member is linked to a quick-release connector [50] Field of Search 137/562, that fastens the assembly to the faucet so that manipulation of the connector to release it is translated to the valve. Water pressure within the assembly is relieved as the release operation takes place.

FAUCE'lf-COUPLING ASSEMBLY FOR A WASHING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A great number of different devices have been introduced for temporarily connecting a washing machine hose to a water source. In recent years the art has advanced from the relatively simple garden hose type of screw-on coupling to a larger more sophisticated form having a quick-acting snap-on mechanism for joining it to thefaucet and means in combination therewith for receiving effluent from a drain hose and discharging to a sink drain. Some of the more elaborate devices include a water-takeoff means whereby the housewife may selectively draw water fromthe assembly without disconnecting the assembly from the faucet. For this to be done a normally closed valve means is provided in the housing of the assembly in combination with a manually operable actuation means for unseating the valve and thereby directing a flow of water outwardly from the assembly through an auxiliary outlet.

The features heretofore described are particularly important when such an assembly is used to connect a portable dishwasher to a kitchen faucet. Thehousewife is able to complete the water inlet hose connection and the effluent discharge hose connection in a single operation. During the time that the dishwashing machine is operating the housewife is able to draw water from the kitchen faucet through the assembly while the assembly remains connected to the faucet. Further, the housewife can use the water-takeoff means to relieve the internal liquid pressure within the coupling assemblyprior to its removal from the faucet and thereby prevent squirting of water from the inlet end of the coupling assembly when it is removed.

A coupling assembly embodying the desirable features heretofore generally described is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,306,319 issued to Norman L. Kendt and Don E. Payton on Feb. 28, 1967, entitled Water Takeoff For Washing Machine Connector," and assigned to General Electric Company, the assignee of the present invention. The present invention is an improved construction for a coupling assembly of the type disclosed therein that obviates certain disadvantages present in prior assemblies. For example, in the type of coupling assembly having a water-takeoff means utilizing a manually operable push valve to draw water from the assembly, it is a two-handed operation to fill a drinking glass since it is necessary to support the glass with one hand while manipulating the push valve with the other. Also,.the housewife is required to remember to actuate the push valve each time shedisconnects the coupling assembly from the faucet in order torelieve the water pressure within the assembly. In actual practice, the housewife often forgets to actuate the push valve before performing the uncoupling operation and thereby may splash water as she disconnects the assembly.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved means to connect an automatic washing machine to a water source such as a kitchen faucet.

lt is also an object of this invention to provide an improved coupling assembly for an automatic washing machine which will allow one to withdraw liquid from the coupling assembly in a comparatively simple one-hand operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved coupling assembly incorporating automatic means to safely relieve the pressure of water within the assembly when it is disconnected from thewater source.

SUMMARY OF THElNVENTlON This invention relates generally to a coupling assembly that permits quick connection and disconnection of a washing machine to a water source such as a kitchen faucet. More specifically, the invention is an improved construction for a coupling assembly unit incorporating such features therewith as a new and improved watentakeoff means that is mechanisimultaneously bleed off water pressure in the unit.

The improved coupling assembly of this invention includes a body portion defining a water passageway having an inlet end with means to couple it to a water faucet spout, and an outlet end coupled to a water delivery hose leading to a washing machine such as a dishwasher. A water-takeoff outlet is provided intermediate the length of the water passageway and has valve means therewith for maintaining the water-takeoff outlet in a normally closed position during operational use of the coupling assembly.

The water-takeoff outlet is provided with an annular valve seal thereabout that cooperates with a. movable valve member in opening and closing the water-takeoff outlet. The valve member is preferably formed with an elongated tubular body portion having a closed end with an annular flange extending radially therefrom that normally is pressed toward the valve seat. The valve member is adapted to be pivoted laterally to tilt the radial flange and permit water to flow past the valve seat. A plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart openings are provided on the tubular portion of the valve member adjacent the flange so that when the valve member is tilted, water carried within the passageway will enter through the openings into the tubular body of the valve member and flow outwardly through its open end. The open end of the valve member extends outwardly toward a substantially large handle member that is slidably mounted on the assemblys body portion whereby the pivotal movement may be imparted to the valve member by manually sliding the handle member from a first to a second position relative to the body portion of the assembly.

A central bore through the handle member communicates with the open end of the tubular valve: member. The opposite open end of the central bore through the handle member is oriented downwardly away from the faucet to \vhich the assembly is connected and serves as a discharge port or spout to deliver water toward a sink therebelow when the handle member is manually actuated by sliding it relative to the body portion. The slidably mounted handle member has one end thereof disposed adjacent the releasable connector and is adapted to be contacted by an end of a deprcssable releasing lever carried on the connector. Thus, manipulation of the releasing lever to release the connector of the assembly from the faucet serves also to slide the handle member relative to the body portion and thereby tilt the tubular valve member and bleed water from the assembly when it is disconnected from the faucet.

The body portion of the assembly also has a lower end drain passageway therethrough. The inlet end of the drain passageway is connected to a drain hose from the washing machine, and the outlet end of the drain passageway is oriented to direct effluent discharge received from the machine downwardly toward the drain opening in the sink therebeneath.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FlG. l is an elevational view, partially cut away to show details, of the improved coupling assembly of the present invention',

HO. 2 is a plan view taken as though looking downwardly on the assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. l but showing certain components of the coupling assembly repositioned in accordance with the connection or disconnection operallOI'l.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawing there is illustrated a coupling assembly for connecting a washing machine to the outlet end of a faucet 11. The coupling assembly 10 includes a body portion 12 defining a water passageway 13 through its upper end and an effluent discharge passageway 14 through its lower end. The body portion 12 is provided with releasable connecting means 15 for coupling it to the faucet 11 whereby the inlet end of the water passageway 13 is in liquid flow communication with the faucet. The outlet end of the water passageway 13 has a hose 16 coupled thereto whereby water is transmitted therethrough from the passageway 13 to the washing machine.

At the lower end of the body portion 12 the end of the washing machine drain hose 17 is coupled to the body portion 12 at the inlet end of the discharge passageway 14 whereby effluent received from the washing machine through the hose 17 will be conducted through the passageway 14 and then out through the discharge outlet 18 toward a sink drain that would normally be disposed below the assembly.

A water-takeoff opening or secondary outlet 19 is provided at an intermediate point along the water passageway 13. A tubular valve member 20 extends through the opening 19 and is provided with a ringlike resilient sealing member 21 intermediate its length for sealably supporting it in the installed position shown. The tubular valve member 20 has a head portion comprising a closed end 22 with a radially outwardly pro jecting annular flange 23 thereon, and an elongated hollow stem. An annular resilient gasket 24 is fitted about the tubular body of the valve member 20 contiguous to the flange 23. A portion of the inside surface of the body portion 12 immediately circumjacent the water-takeoff opening 19 is a valve seat 25, and the gasket 24 abutting the flange 23 seals against the valve seat 25 and between it and the flange 23 to normally prevent water in the passageway 13 from escaping past or through the valve member 20 and through the watertakeoff outlet 19. The valve member 20 is adapted to be tilted on a transverse axis relative to the water-takeoff opening 19 (see FIG. 3) whereby water from passageway 13 may drain outwardly through the tubular valve member 20 by means of a plurality of openings 26 provided in a circumferentially spaced-apart disposition through the sidewall of the tubular valve member 20 adjacent the gasket 24. The openings 26 are closed off from communication with the passageway 13 when the valve member 20 is seated. The open end of the tubular valve member 20 extends toward a relatively large handle member 27 that is slidably mounted on the body portion 12 of the assembly 10.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2 the handle portion 27 has a slide bar 28 integral thereto that extends toward the body portion 12 and is slidably carried between oppositely disposed channel members 29 integral to the body portion 12. The handle member 27 is substantially hollow having a liquiddispensing passageway therethrough. The upper end of the handle member 27 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and an open end or discharge port 30 is provided at the lower end for discharging water withdrawn from the assembly 10. A blocklike member 31 is force-fitted on the open end of the valve member 20 and extends into the handle member 27. The blocklike member has a passageway 32 that leads from the open end of the tubular valve member 20 and turns downwardly within the handle member 27.

Customarily, the inlet and drain hoses on a portable washing machine are retractable into the machine when the machine is stored out of use, and the more recent type of coupling assembly is made to be insertably stored in a receptacle or pocket provided in the cabinet of the machine. Withdrawal of such a coupling assembly from its stored position on the machine's cabinet is usually afforded by providing an extended handle member that is easily grasped by the hand of the operator. The handle member 27 of the coupling assembly 10 of the present invention is formed to serve such a purpose although it also acts as a spout for discharging water selectively withdrawn from the coupling assembly. It should be noted, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, that the handle member 27 is slidably mounted to be moved vertically relative to the body portion 12 to thereby tilt the tubular valve member 20 and permit water in the passageway 13 to flow through the hollow body of the valve member and thence outwardly through the handle member 27 to where it is discharged from the port 30 of the handle member. The sliding action may be imparted to the handle member 27 without contacting it with the hand by use ofa fillable utensil such as a cup or drinking glass 44 being moved under and then upwardly against the handle portion 27. The rim of the utensil may be pressed upwardly against the bottom end 33 of slide bar 28 to cause the handle member 27 to slide upwardly relative to the body portion 12 to thereby dispense water from the assembly and into the utensil. For this purpose the bottom end 33 extends downwardly below the end ofthe channel members 29.

The releasable connecting means 15 which removably engages the coupling 10 to the faucet 11 comprises an outer collar portion 35 that slides vertically relative to an inner collar portion 36 (FIG. 3). A U-shaped lever 37 is provided to facilitate manually sliding the collarlike portion 35 to the position shown in FIG. 3 when the assembly is connected or disconnected from the faucet. The U-shaped lever 37 has inwardly extending finger portions 38 that fit into oppositely disposed respective grooves 39 provided therefor in the sidewall of the collarlike portion 35.

Oppositely disposed leg portions 40 of the lever 37 extend beneath projections 41 integral to the upper end of the handle member 27. Therefore, as the lever 37 is manually pressed downwardly to disconnect the coupling 10 from the faucet l 1, not only is the collarlike portion 35 of the connector 15 caused to move downwardly but the handle member 27 is, by the same levering action, slid upwardly relative to the body portion 12. Initially, when the handle end of the lever 37 is depressed, which action releases a plurality of small spherical balls (not shown) carried in circumferentially spaced-apart openings through the collarlike member 36, the projections 41 serve as a fulcrum and the outer collar portion of the releasable connector 15 is moved downwardly by the lever action. At the same time with the downward stroke of the lever 37, a point on the undersurface of each leg 38 contacts the end of a respective shoulder or ledge portion 42 that projects inwardly integral to the upper end of the body portion 12. The extreme outer ends of the legs 38 are thereby forced upwardly, and the upward thrust against the projections 41 urges the entire handle member 27 to slide upwardly relative to the body portion 12 and thereby unseat the valve member 20.

Normally, the valve member is held in the closed position shown in FIG. 1 by means of a water pressure or a biasing means on spring 43. The force exerted by the fluid pressure, along with the spring 43, if used, is translated through the valve member 20 by the blocklike member 31 and thence to the handle member 27, and acts to urge the handle member 27 to maintain its down" position relative to the body portion 12. When the handle member 27 is thus utilized as an actuating means and is slid upwardly the tubular valve member 20 is thereby tilted such that the passageway 13 is brought into communication with the atmosphere outside the body of the assembly and the liquid pressure within the passageway 13 is thereby relieved. By linking the slidably mounted handle member 27 to the lever 37, it is not necessary for the person removing the coupling assembly 10 from its mounted position on the faucet 11 to remember to relieve the internal liquid pressure before doing so. The internal pressure is automatically relieved by the act of depressing the lever 37 to disconnect the coupling assembly 10 from faucet 11.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that what has been heretofore described is, at present, considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention. In accordance with the patent statutes, changes may be made in the disclosed apparatus without actually departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: a

l. A coupling assembly to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucet, comprising:

a. a body portion defining a liquid passageway therein,

b. said passageway having an inlet end and at least two outlets therefrom,

c. manually releasable means for connecting said inlet end in liquid-receiving relationship to the faucet,

d. one of said outlets serving to transmit liquid from said passageway toward the washing machine,

e. valve means normally closing off a second of said outlets,

. means for dispensing liquid from said body portion, in

cluding a slidable member, having a discharge passageway disposed therein, and being manually slidable on said body portion,

g. said second outlet communicating with said discharge passageway, and

h. said releasable means being adapted to open said valve means to dispense liquid through said discharge passageway.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said slidable member comprises a movable handle member mounted on said body portion and said discharge passageway is formed within said handle member.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said handle member is slidably mounted for movement between a first and second position on said body portion whereby it may be manually moved to said second position to dispense liquid therefrom.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2, wherein said handle member is formed to facilitate grasping by an operator's hand for manually moving said handle member to dispense liquid therethrough.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve means includes:

a. a valve seat circumjacent said second outlet, and

b. a valve member having a head portion adjacent said valve seat and substantially elongated stem portion extending through said second outlet.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein the end of said stem portion opposite said head portion is linked to said actuating means whereby said stem is laterally displaced by movement ofsaid slidable member.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. said valve means includes a valve member disposed in said second outlet, and

b. said valve member is adapted 'to be pivoted generally laterally relative to said second outlet.

8. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve means includes a valve member having a tubular stem portion extending toward said actuating means whereby manual movement of said actuating means displaces said valve member from its normal position relative to said second outlet.

9. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes means thereon to facilitate its engagement and movement solely by means of a fillable utensil being brought in contact therewith to impart. movement thereto.

R0. The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein said slidable member translates motion of said manually releasable means to said valve means. 

1. A coupling assembly to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucet, comprising: a. a body portion defining a liquid passageway therein, b. said passageway having an inlet end and at least two outlets therefrom, c. manually releasable means for connecting said inlet end in liquid-receiving relationship to the faucet, d. one of said outlets serving to transmit liquid from said passageway toward the washing machine, e. valve means normally closing off a second of said outlets, f. means for dispensing liquid from said body portion, including a slidable member, having a discharge passageway disposed therein, and being manually slidable on said body portion, g. said second outlet communicating with said discharge passageway, and h. said releasable means being adapted to open said valve means to dispense liquid through said discharge passageway.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said slidable member comprises a movable handle member mounted on said body portion and said discharge passageway is formed within said handle member.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said handle member is slidably mounted for movement between a first and second position on said body portion whereby it may be manually moved to said second position to dispense liquid therefrom.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 2, wherein said handle member is formed to facilitate grasping by an operator''s hand for manually moving said handle member to dispense liquid therethrough.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve means includes: a. a valve seat circumjacent said second outlet, and b. a valve member having a head portion adjacent said valve seat and substantially elongated stem portion extending through said second outlet.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein the end of said stem portion opposite said head portion is linked to said actuating means whereby said stem is laterally displaced by movement of said slidable member.
 7. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said valve means includes a valve member disposed in said second outlet, and b. said valve member is adapted to be pivoted generally laterally relative to said second outlet.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve means includes a valve member having a tubular stem portion extending toward said actuating means whereby manual movement of said actuating means displaces said valve member from its normal position relative to said second outlet.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes means thereon to facilitate its engagement and movement solely by means of a fillable utensil being brought in contact therewith to impart movement thereto.
 10. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said slidable member translates motion of said manually releasable means to said valve means. 